Bater 100 games

[Vagg 2,437]

Bater finally plays his 100th game tomorrow. It's been a long, tough gig for him. Hasn't lived up to the original hype about him when he was taken as a young draft pick all those years ago.

But, he's stuck at it. And, going by his interview on the MFC site, seems he's loving the new regime at the Dees, and super keen to succeed.

I, for one, congratulate Matty on his 100th game, and really hope he can yet live up to some of the early hype. Would love to see him develop into a Cooney-like midfielder.

[P-man 13,366]

Well done Bater. Gives his all which we need right now.

Edited July 5, 2012 by P_Man

[jnrmac 19,928]

Has elevated his fitness levels this year and trimmed down. Great commitment from him after the end of year bunfight about him wanting t leave.

Far from the best player on our list but I can't knock his efforts this year from limited opportunities.

Well done. 100 games is something I doubt any around here have got!

[Hatchman 539]

On the record as never potting this kid once.

Tries hard and gives his all

Much improved under Neeld too I might add

Keep up the good work Matty

[IRW 1,383]

Congratulations to Bate.Not many people get to play 100 AFL games and it is a testament to the generosity of MFC that master Bate and Millsy can count themselves as members of that fraternity.

[IRW 1,383]

Congratulations to Bate.Not many people get to play 100 AFL games and it is a testament to the generosity of MFC that master Bate and Millsy can count themselves as members of that fraternity. Chunky Jones played about 100 straight with attendant criticism of his attributes from many supporters and look at how his game has prospered, does anyone envisage the same future for Mathew B?

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Congrats Bater. 100 games of AFL football is an awesome effort. Has the given his all for the club and you couldn't begrudge him asking to go to the Doggies last year after opportunities here dried up, and to his credit he hasn't dropped his bundle after we didn't trade him and seems to have found a role under Neeld.

[DemonWA 3,889]

I remember watching his 1st game. Seems like a decade ago!

Cant fault his efforts and his dedication to the club. Good luck to him

[BIG JIM 508]

The only thing in common with Bate and Cooney is there hair.

Sorry but even with a bung knee cooney runs laps around our boy bate.

Back to the topic well done Matty you try hard and now have played 100 games for the best football club in the world.

Something every demon fan would wish to do as a kid.

Head down bum up like you have done with all your time at the club and you just might get another 50-100 games.

Well done matty

[BAMF 4,171]

Well done Bate.

I feel Bate's career has been held back due to poor development. Bulk up, Trim down. Your a mid, your a forward, your a demon one week a scorpion for 3 weks. Your not wanted. you are wanted.

A well deserved 100 games and ill be flying up from hobart to cheer him on this week.

[Pates 9,625]

Congrats to Bater. He tries hard every time and has had some memorable moments in those 100 games.

All the best on the weekend.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Bater finally plays his 100th game tomorrow. It's been a long, tough gig for him. Hasn't lived up to the original hype about him when he was taken as a young draft pick all those years ago.

But, he's stuck at it. And, going by his interview on the MFC site, seems he's loving the new regime at the Dees, and super keen to succeed.

I, for one, congratulate Matty on his 100th game, and really hope he can yet live up to some of the early hype. Would love to see him develop into a Cooney-like midfielder.

Well done Bater, 100 games, keep on improving.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

I remmeber his frist friday night vs geelong he was best on ground, i remmber thinking how he played a judd type game, but he has never really played a game like that since, we always seam to have one hit wanders.

Edited July 6, 2012 by vincehotboy

[Biffen 12,919]

Well done Bate.

I feel Bate's career has been held back due to poor development. Bulk up, Trim down. Your a mid, your a forward, your a demon one week a scorpion for 3 weks. Your not wanted. you are wanted.

A well deserved 100 games and ill be flying up from hobart to cheer him on this week.

Good on you Matty-I'm a big fan.

Has anyone ever noticed that he actually gets his own pill? His disposal efficiency is invariably good also .

Love the master!!

[jimcor 212]

Congratulations to Bate.Not many people get to play 100 AFL games and it is a testament to the generosity of MFC that master Bate and Millsy can count themselves as members of that fraternity. Chunky Jones played about 100 straight with attendant criticism of his attributes from many supporters and look at how his game has prospered, does anyone envisage the same future for Mathew B?

A slightly backhanded compliment. I can certainly see a similar result in the future for Bates if he continues to get a run in the starting team. His disposal is better than Nate Jones, as is his marking ability. Like Jones up until this season, Bates still lacks awareness of what's happening around him and gets caught with the ball occasionally.

Jones (who is certainly on our Top 3 players this season) was shown a heap of patience by Bailey & co in his early years and I suspect Bates would have benefited greatly from similar indulgence. Overall IMO an often under-rated performer who has earned an opportunity to be more than a fringe player.

[Guest KingDingAling]

Bates 100 games Is just a sign as to how well we've travelled over the past 5 years.

Lets face it, Bate is a out and out plodder, offers little and at one stage was out go to man up forward, crazy!!

Bates form now is probably as good as it has been, so I cant see why he cant clog out list up for another 100 games.

[rpfc 28,070]

Bates 100 games Is just a sign as to how well we've travelled over the past 5 years.

Lets face it, Bate is a out and out plodder, offers little and at one stage was out go to man up forward, crazy!!

Bates form now is probably as good as it has been, so I cant see why he cant clog out list up for another 100 games.

Lovely sentiments.

Should we have you on suicide watch when Dunn plays his 100th?

[Macca 16,661]

Congratulations to Bate.Not many people get to play 100 AFL games and it is a testament to the generosity of MFC that master Bate and Millsy can count themselves as members of that fraternity.

Couldn't you have just given him a simple congratulations on his 100th ? Or better still , said nothing . You're right though , not many play 100 and an extremely large percentage never play one .

And to think that Tiger fans cop it for 'Eating their own' . If Bailey had of realized that Bate was never a forward , Matty would be a well established midfielder by now .

Well done Matthew . Hope you do well tomorrow .

Edited July 6, 2012 by Macca

[Bobby McKenzie 2,362]

Well done Bate.

I feel Bate's career has been held back due to poor development. Bulk up, Trim down. Your a mid, your a forward, your a demon one week a scorpion for 3 weks. Your not wanted. you are wanted.

A well deserved 100 games and ill be flying up from hobart to cheer him on this week.

You have summed up his career very well 'UTAH'. Sadly, he is a bit of a whipping boy for some on this forum. Not me however as I like his persistence and gutsy play. Have a good one tomorrow Matty.

[Miles from Nowhere 199]

Bates 100 games Is just a sign as to how well we've travelled over the past 5 years.

Lets face it, Bate is a out and out plodder, offers little and at one stage was out go to man up forward, crazy!!

Bates form now is probably as good as it has been, so I cant see why he cant clog out list up for another 100 games.

Congratulations Matt, exactly 100 games more than I achieved.

But sadly KDA you are right on the money. Too many MFC supporters aim too low - they want to embrace mediocrity. What this guy brings is the absolute minimum in that he wants to play. But that Brisbane quarter with zero touches is emblematic. He starts with no pace and has it all left in the last. But it doesn't win games. He has carved a 100 game career remaining the most predictable one sided left footer.

Sure I'll cheer as he breaks the banner, but if I have to do it for 150 games then only two reasons are possible. He will have improved exponentially (yeah right!) or this football club is toasted.

[Retrospective 104]

Matt Bate is living testament to our inability to nurture and develop talent.

Has been played in any and every position over his career, including as a lead up forward for ages with a team that consistently kicked over his head, in between stints in the 2's

MFC has been unable to either rectify his weaknesses or build on his strengths. Suspect his career would have been significantly different at any other club.

He highlights our deficiencies as a club....(how do you think Judd would be going if he'd come to us.....I expect he'd be being discussed as trade bait!)

[Nasher 33,607]

Bates 100 games Is just a sign as to how well we've travelled over the past 5 years.

Lets face it, Bate is a out and out plodder, offers little and at one stage was out go to man up forward, crazy!!

Bates form now is probably as good as it has been, so I cant see why he cant clog out list up for another 100 games.

Terrible, terrible post. 100 games is an excellent achievement and deserves to be celebrated, regardless of what you or we think of the player. If you really can't bring yourself to say something nice, then recognise that this is a completely inappropriate thread for potting the player and just say nothing.

[GOLF 13]

Does he have any sons?